Zero Waste Construction is a strategy focused on minimizing material waste throughout the construction process, from design to demolition. It emphasizes reuse, recycling, and efficient material use to prevent landfill waste and promote circular resource flow.
Unlike carbon-focused strategies, zero waste construction deals primarily with physical waste, including:
The goal is to design smarter, build leaner, and send as little to landfill as possible.
*For carbon-focused strategies, refer to Zero Emission Construction.
Construction generates hundreds of millions of tons of waste annually, contributing to environmental degradation, cost overruns, and project delays. Adopting zero waste practices can:
A commercial retrofit project targeting LEED Platinum diverted over 95% of construction waste by designing to standard board sizes, using prefab wall panels, and implementing on-site sorting bins. These practices lowered disposal costs and supported their sustainability goals.
It’s about building without the dumpster. You plan carefully, cut less, reuse more, and throw away almost nothing.
EPA on Construction & Demolition Waste
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